Starting mid-April, Seoul residents will be able to receive free tap water quality testing during weekday evenings and on weekends and holidays.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on April 4 that it will expand operating hours for its "Arisu Quality Verification Program" and introduce a contactless testing service through a delivery app beginning in May.
The Arisu Quality Verification Program is a free service that sends inspectors directly to homes to verify whether tap water meets drinking water standards on-site. When problems are detected, the program connects residents with pipe inspection or replacement support. Since its introduction in 2008, the program has conducted a cumulative 6.69 million tests, reflecting sustained public interest and participation.
Under the new operating schedule taking effect April 10, testing appointments will be available until 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. This allows dual-income and single-person households who previously faced scheduling difficulties to participate more conveniently.
Appointments can be made through the 120 Dasan Call Center, the Seoul Waterworks Authority website, or local water service offices. Two inspectors visit homes and conduct approximately five-minute tests covering five parameters: residual chlorine, turbidity, pH, iron, and copper. Results are provided immediately. If abnormalities are found, the program provides diagnosis and connects residents to pipe cleaning or aging pipe replacement support programs.
Starting in May, a contactless service will launch through the delivery app "Ddanggyeoyo." Residents place tap water samples in containers outside their doors, and inspectors collect and analyze them before sending results via text message.
The city is expanding regular inspections targeting areas with vulnerable water quality management, including aging housing and facilities serving vulnerable populations. To date, approximately 8,300 households have received aging pipe replacements or filter support. Drinking fountains at public facilities including daycare centers, senior centers, and schools will undergo quarterly inspections and special summer inspections.
"As we have diversified our operating hours and methods, we encourage citizens to use the Quality Verification Program to directly check the water quality in their homes," said Joo Yong-tae, Director of the Seoul Waterworks Authority.